THE CAST IN SIX DEGREES OF: HUGH GRANT

David Walton was in Break Point with J.K. Simmons, who was in The Reluctant Professor with Hugh Grant.

Minnie Driver was in Phantom of the Opera with Paul Brooke, who was in The Lair of the White Worm with Hugh Grant.

Benjamin Stockham was in Quarantine with Bernard White, who was in American Dreamz with Hugh Grant.

Al Madrigal was in Lies & Illusions with Christian Slater, who was in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves with Alan Rickman, who was in Sense & Sensibility with Hugh Grant.

Annie Mumolo was in Bewitched with Heather Burns, who was in Two Weeks Notice with Hugh Grant.

THE PREMISE

Based on the movie of the same name, the show centers on the relationship between a single bachelor and the single-mom and her 11-year old son living next door.

WHAT WORKS

The chemistry between Will (Walton) and Marcus (Stockham). Their relationship had to be believeable and relatable, otherwise this show would just be called Sandusky’s Place. Do you know what I’m saying?

We first meet Will trying to get on Leslie Bibb (who was Confessions of a Shopaholic with Ashley Klein, who was in Did You Hear About the Morgans? with Hugh Grant) after meeting her on the street trying to get her cello (yeah, right) out of her car. Will was on the trolley with his BFF (Madrigal, giving Josh Flagg realness), and he jumps off when sees Bibb. Will greets her by saying, “Cello” instead of “Hello” which is GROSS. Then she throws herself at him after he spoonfed her a bowl of bullshit (about having a son named Jonah who went to Africa to cure his leukemia) in a group meeting for single parents (I think?!). She gets a phone call in the middle of sexy time, and bounces. He runs out in an open button-down and tighty-whiteys. Meow. Meanwhile, Fiona (Driver) and Marcus are moving in. At first sight, Marcus is giving serious androg-o-fem and I wasn’t on board. Fast-forward to Marcus being introduced to Bibb as Jonah. While Will is hugging “Jonah”, Marcus whispers in his ear, “I own you.” Completely on board.

The show is really cute, not in a manipulative way, and I am loving it so far. It kinda want to watch the movie again to compare. Will is so adorable, Marcus is awesome, and it keeps getting better. Lil’ Jon showed up in episode 2! YEAH!! I did have one complaint (besides “Cello”)…

WHAT DOESN’T

Minnie Driver needs to bring it down a notch.

Her performance in the pilot is almost too shrill to be believed. My guess is someone at the network agreed, but she gets better each week. Don’t get me wrong, I love Minnie Driver. I wish The Riches was still on. Actually, I take that back. There is no way those gypsy grifters would still be getting away with being the Riches 6 years later. They would be out of storylines and it probably would have turned into Moonraker or some shit. Besides, if it were still on, Cael wouldn’t be over on Shameless being America’s Next Top Bottom for Ian!

THE GRADE: A-